Why: It is easy for bad guys to watch, intercept, and mess with anything you do online. A VPN stops that like Kevlar stops bullets. Also: privacy.

How: Pay for a VPN service, or set one up on your home router. Learn how in our “Dr. Skip's Library of More Awesomeness” section below.

Why: Two-step verification makes life much more difficult for would-be attackers.

How: Many cloud apps offer two-factor authentication (Facebook, Google, Twitter, LastPass, and so on). If you use a password anywhere, check if that site offers this awesome service.

Why: Even if a hacker steals your credit card number, it will be useless to them.

How: Most banks offer single-use credit card numbers. It only works for the web site you determine, for the dollar amount you choose.

Why: Thousands of laptops and devices are stolen each day. There are plenty of free and paid solutions that let you track your device, and send reports to police.

How: A search for “free laptop tracking” should point you in the right direction. Some of our favorites are Prey* and McAfee LiveSafe.

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Get ready to surf, shop, bank, share, and enjoy your life online with confidence. McAfee LiveSafe service secures your entire digital life. Designed to fit the way you live, the McAfee LiveSafe service protects you—your data, your identity, and all your devices.

McAfee LiveSafe™ service enriches your digital life by helping to secure your data and identity on all of your devices.

Connect with confidence using the latest hardware and software security innovations, specifically designed to fit your digital life. Easily enjoy a safe online experience no matter what you do or where you are.